Best free file (/directory) scanner for detecting malware?

ship69

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Hi

I am using Windows Defender to protect my PC.
I am suspicious that it may have missed some malware and I would like to scan particular directories.
I understand that it is a bad idea to have more than one anti malware application running simultaneously.
So I would like to install something to catch viruses/Trojans/spyware etc with on-demand scanning of individual files & directories (and maybe my entire PC but that is less important right now)

Any recommendations?

Thanks
 

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I recommend using Avast! because of my recent experience with it. I had Webroot installed and Avast! noticed a virus Webroot had missed.
 

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  • OS
    Windows 8.1
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    ASUS
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    Avast! Free Antivirus
Is it possible to install Avast! without it scanning everything all the time?
i.e. Is it possible to run it purely 'on demand' ?

I ran MalwareBytes and it found some stuff (yikes!)
- PUP.Options.NotChromeRun.A
- PUP.Optional.ProductSetup.A
- PUP.Optional.ProductSetup.A
- PUP.Optional.WinYahoo.A

Does anyone know if any of those are serious?
Either way it says it has quarantines them so I am hoping it's all under control. Fwiw, I also ran SuperAntiSpyware which found nothing...

Background
Like a fool I let a young teenager loose on my PC and I have no idea what he got up to.

J
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro (x64)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Samsung NP740U3E-S04UK (Series 7 Ultra Notebook)
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 - 3337U
    Motherboard
    Intel HM76 (?)
    Memory
    6GB DDR3 System Memory at 1600MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon™ HD 8570M graphics card with 1GB gDDR3 Graphic Memory (PowerExpress)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.3" SuperBright+ 350nit FHD LED Display with Touch Screeen Panel
    Screen Resolution
    (1920 x 1080)
    Hard Drives
    512GB mSATA Samsung (PM841 Series MZMTD512HAGL-00000 mSATA 512GB SATA III MLC Internal SSD)
    Keyboard
    Logitech MK700
    Mouse
    Logitech M705
    Internet Speed
    4 to 15Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox, MSIE, Chrome, Opera etc
    Antivirus
    AVG Cloudcare
Yes, the free version is actually entirely on demand. You can't use real-time protection without paying. You can also adjust what you scan, but I'd probably do a full scan first and then scan whatever fits for you as needed. As for the PUPs found by malwarebytes, a PUP in and of itself isn't typically malicious, but I'd still remove them. Odds are you never installed them yourself anyway.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
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    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3630QM
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    Nvidia GeForce GTX 670MX
    Keyboard
    Razer Blackwidow Ultimate
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    Razer Naga Hex
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Avast! Free Antivirus
I use BitDefender Total Security.
Its the best antivirus program I ever used.
In the past I wasn't careful on the internet and with torrents I took viruses and malware on my laptop.
McAfee, Avast, AVG and a few others couldn't detect them and were a huge impact on the performance.
I had to install windows again several times, eventually I found BitDefender and wanted to try it out a little bit.
Because I like it to have a lot of setup in the beginning I installed BitDefender Total Security.
After the first scan it removed a lot of infections without asking what to do with it or even a reboot.
Since then I have only used BitDefender Total Security with Malwarebytes. I am not capable of defeating these 2 programs, doesn't matter how much I try to get any viruses and malware and I'm very good at getting them.
Also, BitDefender doesn't have any impact on performance if you set it right up.
I've played a little with updates, within how much time the definitions of malware and viruses needs to be updated and thats the only thing that'll take impact on the performance if you set it without enough delay or too long delay.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom build
    CPU
    i5-6500 @3.20GHz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte B150-HD3P-CF
    Memory
    16GB DDR4 2133 Crucial Ballistix Sport LT
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 GAMING X 6G
    Sound Card
    Built-in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Liyama ProLite XB2483HSU-B2
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX200 500GB & Toshiba DT01ACA300 3TB
    PSU
    Corsair RM550x
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    Fractal Design Define S
    Cooling
    Cooler Master TX3 i
    Keyboard
    Func KB-460 (MX Red)
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    Corsair Gaming M65 RGB
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Total Security 2017 + MBAM Pro + MBAE Pro
    Other Info
    Creative Sound Blaster Tactic3D Rage V2 headset
A)
@Axe0 - OK but if I install "BitDefender Total Security" that will be doing real time scanning etc yes?
i.e. I would need to uninstall Windows Defender because you shouldn't have two real-time Anti-virals working simultaneously, yes?
If so that's a slightly different conversation. I was looking for an on-demand scanner.
Also BitDefender Total Security its £59.95/year. That's quite a lot when you can get so much for free.

Is there a way to install Malware Bytes on an on-demand basis?


B)
@thebeesknees - which version of AVAST are you using and how much are you paying?


Thanks both

J


P.S. I know it proves little but number of active users is intriguing:

AVG is one of the top 10 retailers in the UK !!
With 200 million monthly active users worldwide, apparently.
(AVG - Security Technology | News Release)

And free version has 80 million users:
(Source: The 103 Best Free Security Utilities - IT Security)

Bit Defender claims to have even more "500 million home and corporate users across the globe" !
http://www.bitdefender.co.uk/site/view/about-us.html

AVAST has
"230 million active users worldwide"
https://www.avast.com/en-gb/about

And free version has 50 million users:
(Source: The 103 Best Free Security Utilities - IT Security)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro (x64)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Samsung NP740U3E-S04UK (Series 7 Ultra Notebook)
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 - 3337U
    Motherboard
    Intel HM76 (?)
    Memory
    6GB DDR3 System Memory at 1600MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon™ HD 8570M graphics card with 1GB gDDR3 Graphic Memory (PowerExpress)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.3" SuperBright+ 350nit FHD LED Display with Touch Screeen Panel
    Screen Resolution
    (1920 x 1080)
    Hard Drives
    512GB mSATA Samsung (PM841 Series MZMTD512HAGL-00000 mSATA 512GB SATA III MLC Internal SSD)
    Keyboard
    Logitech MK700
    Mouse
    Logitech M705
    Internet Speed
    4 to 15Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox, MSIE, Chrome, Opera etc
    Antivirus
    AVG Cloudcare
Yes, it is real time.
No, you don't have to uninstall Windows defender because you cannot uninstall it.
Windows defender will be deactivated when you install another AV program.
I use Total Security, but I recommend the free AV program for you.
Malwarebytes free is what you are looking for.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom build
    CPU
    i5-6500 @3.20GHz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte B150-HD3P-CF
    Memory
    16GB DDR4 2133 Crucial Ballistix Sport LT
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 GAMING X 6G
    Sound Card
    Built-in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Liyama ProLite XB2483HSU-B2
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX200 500GB & Toshiba DT01ACA300 3TB
    PSU
    Corsair RM550x
    Case
    Fractal Design Define S
    Cooling
    Cooler Master TX3 i
    Keyboard
    Func KB-460 (MX Red)
    Mouse
    Corsair Gaming M65 RGB
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Total Security 2017 + MBAM Pro + MBAE Pro
    Other Info
    Creative Sound Blaster Tactic3D Rage V2 headset
Axe0 - like I say in post#4 I ran MalwareBytes and found some PUPs.

I'd quite like to run some other on-demand stuff to see if anything else comes out of the woodwork.

I'm not completely ready to abandon Windows Defender. No offence but I'd like to see some further second opinions on BitDefender. Fwiw, last time I looked into it I concluded that most of the "expert" reviews were extremely biased....
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro (x64)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Samsung NP740U3E-S04UK (Series 7 Ultra Notebook)
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 - 3337U
    Motherboard
    Intel HM76 (?)
    Memory
    6GB DDR3 System Memory at 1600MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon™ HD 8570M graphics card with 1GB gDDR3 Graphic Memory (PowerExpress)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.3" SuperBright+ 350nit FHD LED Display with Touch Screeen Panel
    Screen Resolution
    (1920 x 1080)
    Hard Drives
    512GB mSATA Samsung (PM841 Series MZMTD512HAGL-00000 mSATA 512GB SATA III MLC Internal SSD)
    Keyboard
    Logitech MK700
    Mouse
    Logitech M705
    Internet Speed
    4 to 15Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox, MSIE, Chrome, Opera etc
    Antivirus
    AVG Cloudcare
Sorry, my head feels a little weird today.
I'm right now not 100%..
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom build
    CPU
    i5-6500 @3.20GHz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte B150-HD3P-CF
    Memory
    16GB DDR4 2133 Crucial Ballistix Sport LT
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 GAMING X 6G
    Sound Card
    Built-in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Liyama ProLite XB2483HSU-B2
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX200 500GB & Toshiba DT01ACA300 3TB
    PSU
    Corsair RM550x
    Case
    Fractal Design Define S
    Cooling
    Cooler Master TX3 i
    Keyboard
    Func KB-460 (MX Red)
    Mouse
    Corsair Gaming M65 RGB
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Total Security 2017 + MBAM Pro + MBAE Pro
    Other Info
    Creative Sound Blaster Tactic3D Rage V2 headset
I'm using whatever the latest version of Avast! is. I haven't paid anything for it, you can use it for free. The paid version is real-time but the free one isn't.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3630QM
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce GTX 670MX
    Keyboard
    Razer Blackwidow Ultimate
    Mouse
    Razer Naga Hex
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Avast! Free Antivirus
Hi

I am using Windows Defender to protect my PC.
I am suspicious that it may have missed some malware and I would like to scan particular directories.
I understand that it is a bad idea to have more than one anti malware application running simultaneously.
So I would like to install something to catch viruses/Trojans/spyware etc with on-demand scanning of individual files & directories (and maybe my entire PC but that is less important right now)

Any recommendations?

Thanks

I only recommend 2 programs: Trend Micro Internet Security and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. Both are known to protect computers from malware and other security threats specially PUPs.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
Axe0 - like I say in post#4 I ran MalwareBytes and found some PUPs.

I'd quite like to run some other on-demand stuff to see if anything else comes out of the woodwork.

I'm not completely ready to abandon Windows Defender. No offence but I'd like to see some further second opinions on BitDefender. Fwiw, last time I looked into it I concluded that most of the "expert" reviews were extremely biased....

Remember it now that you asked if there is a possibility to install Malwarebytes as an on-demand base.
Yes there is, Malwarebytes free version.

Btw, you could get a lot of av program for a very cheap price, but its not always trusted by some of users.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom build
    CPU
    i5-6500 @3.20GHz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte B150-HD3P-CF
    Memory
    16GB DDR4 2133 Crucial Ballistix Sport LT
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 GAMING X 6G
    Sound Card
    Built-in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Liyama ProLite XB2483HSU-B2
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX200 500GB & Toshiba DT01ACA300 3TB
    PSU
    Corsair RM550x
    Case
    Fractal Design Define S
    Cooling
    Cooler Master TX3 i
    Keyboard
    Func KB-460 (MX Red)
    Mouse
    Corsair Gaming M65 RGB
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Total Security 2017 + MBAM Pro + MBAE Pro
    Other Info
    Creative Sound Blaster Tactic3D Rage V2 headset
Btw, you could get a lot of av program for a very cheap price, but its not always trusted by some of users.

Are you saying Microsoft's own Windows Defender is insufficient?
I notice that Microsoft offer a service where they maintain your Windows PC and guarantee to remove any viruses/malware that you catch. If they do this badly they stand to lose a lot of money. And the AV they use? Windows Defender and nothing else.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro (x64)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Samsung NP740U3E-S04UK (Series 7 Ultra Notebook)
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 - 3337U
    Motherboard
    Intel HM76 (?)
    Memory
    6GB DDR3 System Memory at 1600MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon™ HD 8570M graphics card with 1GB gDDR3 Graphic Memory (PowerExpress)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.3" SuperBright+ 350nit FHD LED Display with Touch Screeen Panel
    Screen Resolution
    (1920 x 1080)
    Hard Drives
    512GB mSATA Samsung (PM841 Series MZMTD512HAGL-00000 mSATA 512GB SATA III MLC Internal SSD)
    Keyboard
    Logitech MK700
    Mouse
    Logitech M705
    Internet Speed
    4 to 15Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox, MSIE, Chrome, Opera etc
    Antivirus
    AVG Cloudcare
ship69, no offense but if axe0 is saying Windows Defender is insufficient, then I agree. I even talked to a Microsoft tech support person and even she said it was insufficient and she recommended something better. Like AVAST or Vipre or BitDefender. MSE is also not the greatest. Most paid versions or AV's and AM's are better that their free-counterpart.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Inspiron M731R (5735, Late 2013)
    CPU
    1.70 GHz AMD A8 5545M Elite Quad Core
    Motherboard
    No idea
    Memory
    8GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD 8510G Radeon(tm) HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" Inch Display
    Screen Resolution
    1600 x 900
    Hard Drives
    500GB 6GB/s Crucial BX100 SSD
    Case
    Blue Aluminum Finish
    Cooling
    Laptop Fan (Currently Unknown Name)
    Keyboard
    Came with it
    Mouse
    Utech Smart Optical Gaming Mouse US-D4000-GM
    Browser
    Google Chrome / Safari (On my iPod and iPad)
    Antivirus
    Vipre InternetSecurity2015/MalwareBytes Anti-Malware PREMIUM
Btw, you could get a lot of av program for a very cheap price, but its not always trusted by some of users.

Are you saying Microsoft's own Windows Defender is insufficient?
I notice that Microsoft offer a service where they maintain your Windows PC and guarantee to remove any viruses/malware that you catch. If they do this badly they stand to lose a lot of money. And the AV they use? Windows Defender and nothing else.

Nope I'm not saying that, I'm saying that there is a way to get licenses for AV program very cheap.

But about windows defender, its enough if you're very very careful with what you do on the internet, but thats on a really high level especially these days with the vulnerabilities 'database' from the Hackers Team.

I prefer to pay for a program that is much better in catching malware so I feel save, then to be really careful with what I do on the internet,
Because as far as I'm aware of, Windows Defender couldn't protect me with some malware when other AV programs could.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom build
    CPU
    i5-6500 @3.20GHz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte B150-HD3P-CF
    Memory
    16GB DDR4 2133 Crucial Ballistix Sport LT
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 GAMING X 6G
    Sound Card
    Built-in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Liyama ProLite XB2483HSU-B2
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX200 500GB & Toshiba DT01ACA300 3TB
    PSU
    Corsair RM550x
    Case
    Fractal Design Define S
    Cooling
    Cooler Master TX3 i
    Keyboard
    Func KB-460 (MX Red)
    Mouse
    Corsair Gaming M65 RGB
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Total Security 2017 + MBAM Pro + MBAE Pro
    Other Info
    Creative Sound Blaster Tactic3D Rage V2 headset
OK, well it does sound like the entire AV industry is likely to exist in part only because they can offer more than the free Windows Defender.

I wasn't really planning to ask this question here, (as I was originally only looking for on-demand software) but if I am to replace Windows Defender this needs more serious thought.
a) Are the folks in this thread recommending Bit Defender (or Avast or Trend Micro Internet Security) AND MalwareBytes to be running simultaneously?
b) How should I choose between the different AV suites? Can anyone recommend a good quality, genuinely impartial expert review of my options?

I dont really want to spend ANY money on AV, but if pushed I suppose I would go up to c. $50/year if there was a clear an unabiguous benefit.

I am aware than most AV scanners seem to slow down PCs *considerably* so I would be looking for a nice tool that is light on PC 'resources' as well as being extremely reliable at catching the bad guys.

I am pretty careful about what I open, but it just takes one mistake...

J
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro (x64)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Samsung NP740U3E-S04UK (Series 7 Ultra Notebook)
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 - 3337U
    Motherboard
    Intel HM76 (?)
    Memory
    6GB DDR3 System Memory at 1600MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon™ HD 8570M graphics card with 1GB gDDR3 Graphic Memory (PowerExpress)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.3" SuperBright+ 350nit FHD LED Display with Touch Screeen Panel
    Screen Resolution
    (1920 x 1080)
    Hard Drives
    512GB mSATA Samsung (PM841 Series MZMTD512HAGL-00000 mSATA 512GB SATA III MLC Internal SSD)
    Keyboard
    Logitech MK700
    Mouse
    Logitech M705
    Internet Speed
    4 to 15Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox, MSIE, Chrome, Opera etc
    Antivirus
    AVG Cloudcare
The best way to find an AV program that does what you want, scanning file directories is by testing them.
Most free versions don't have real time, but check this AV-Comparatives for the false positive rate from last month.

I certainly don't what to push you, just sharing my opinion :)
Only what I wanted to say is try Bitdefender or kaspersky free antivirus (but forgot it:eek:).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom build
    CPU
    i5-6500 @3.20GHz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte B150-HD3P-CF
    Memory
    16GB DDR4 2133 Crucial Ballistix Sport LT
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 GAMING X 6G
    Sound Card
    Built-in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Liyama ProLite XB2483HSU-B2
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX200 500GB & Toshiba DT01ACA300 3TB
    PSU
    Corsair RM550x
    Case
    Fractal Design Define S
    Cooling
    Cooler Master TX3 i
    Keyboard
    Func KB-460 (MX Red)
    Mouse
    Corsair Gaming M65 RGB
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Total Security 2017 + MBAM Pro + MBAE Pro
    Other Info
    Creative Sound Blaster Tactic3D Rage V2 headset
The best way to find an AV program that does what you want, scanning file directories is by testing them.
Most free versions don't have real time, but check this AV-Comparatives for the false positive rate from last month.

I certainly don't what to push you, just sharing my opinion :)
Only what I wanted to say is try Bitdefender or kaspersky free antivirus (but forgot it:eek:).

Another good resource is AV-TEST AWARD 2014 (av-test.org).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
Cool resources - thanx
I there a score somewhere for which real-time scanners slow your computer down LEAST?

J
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro (x64)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Samsung NP740U3E-S04UK (Series 7 Ultra Notebook)
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 - 3337U
    Motherboard
    Intel HM76 (?)
    Memory
    6GB DDR3 System Memory at 1600MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon™ HD 8570M graphics card with 1GB gDDR3 Graphic Memory (PowerExpress)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.3" SuperBright+ 350nit FHD LED Display with Touch Screeen Panel
    Screen Resolution
    (1920 x 1080)
    Hard Drives
    512GB mSATA Samsung (PM841 Series MZMTD512HAGL-00000 mSATA 512GB SATA III MLC Internal SSD)
    Keyboard
    Logitech MK700
    Mouse
    Logitech M705
    Internet Speed
    4 to 15Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox, MSIE, Chrome, Opera etc
    Antivirus
    AVG Cloudcare
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